{
  "id": 1960766,
  "title": "PAHCCDEM takes climate change awareness to Alajo",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/pahccdem-takes-climate-change-awareness-to-alajo",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-19T15:13:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/pahccdem-takes-climate-change-awareness-to-alajo/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Tuesday, an intensive workshop was organized by the Pan African Hub for Climate Change and Disaster Management (PAHCCDEM) to educate community members in Alajo, a flood-prone suburb of Accra. The workshop, titled \"Build Resilience, Don't Wait for Disaster,\" focused on disaster prevention and management.\n\nDr. Abrokwa Koranteng, a climate change and disaster management expert, emphasized that disasters have become a significant concern for communities like Alajo, which face persistent flooding and poor sanitation issues. He highlighted that the workshop aimed to educate community leaders, residents, and relevant state agencies on disaster risk reduction. Participants were trained in risk mapping, risk assessment, and strengthening coping capacities before, during, and after disasters.\n\nKoranteng explained that understanding the risks within one's immediate environment, how to prevent disasters, mitigate their impact, and respond effectively when they occur is crucial at both community and household levels. He also discussed the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, a global framework guiding countries to prevent and reduce new risks and existing ones, with a key priority being investment in disaster risk reduction.\n\nGovernment and citizen roles were emphasized during the workshop. Dr. Koranteng stressed that while government has the primary responsibility to lead disaster risk management, every individual must recognize their role in disaster risk reduction. He described disaster risk reduction as a human rights issue, emphasizing that everyone has the right to live in a safe and secure environment. Poor planning, indiscriminate construction, and obstructed waterways increase vulnerability to disasters.\n\nPAHCCDEM chose Alajo as the location for the workshop due to the community's recent flooding experiences. Board Member Jamila Osman stressed that education is the most important tool for reducing disasters, noting that climate change affects all of us. She highlighted PAHCCDEM's plan to take advocacy to various platforms, including marketplaces, public spaces, and social media, to spread accurate information on issues like plastic pollution and waste management. Lead Consultant Emmanuel Alasidongor Baluri emphasized the need for capacity building, collaboration, and better coordination among state institutions, civil society, and communities to build flood resilience.",
  "summary": "In the heart of flood-prone Alajo, a suburb of Accra, an intensive workshop was held on Tuesday to educate community members on disaster prevention and management.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}